Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India, Nov 2005

Images & pictures of Jaisalmer taken on a trip to Rajasthan covering Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Jaipur, and Ajmer & Pushkar in November 2005. Other images can be found at http://photos.suchit.in/Travel/

The name Jaisalmer (Jaisal & Meru) literally means ‘Fort of king Jaisa atop the hill’. Located not far from the Pakistan border in the Thar Desert, the golden mirage, the city of Jaisalmer and its commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone, always stands out and welcomes you. The place has an interesting legend associated with it. Lord Krishna, the head of the Yadava clan, had foretold that a remote descendant of this clan would build a kingdom atop the Trikuta hill. The forecast came true in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded this new capital which later became famous as "Jaisalmer".

The state of Rajasthan is located in the Western part of India. Sand dunes, wooded hills, and amazing lakes & palaces come together with men & women in colourful turbans & skirts making it an enchanting location to visit. Extremely popular with the tourists, Rajasthan is worth a visit for anyone coming to India. The mood & rhythm changes from one region to the other but what hits you most is the warm and friendly smiles across the region. Some of the major tourists destinations of India such as Pushkar, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur & Jaipur are located in this State as also some of the best wildlife sanctuaries. The history of Rajasthan dates back to 5,000 years and the heritage & rich landscape reflects the past glories of the Rajas (Kings) and their palaces. While the big cities are fast moving towards a westernized life-style, its the villages and outskirts that have still retained the traditional ways and truly worth a visit. Best time is around August to October. Time it with one of the major fairs (such as Pushkar Mela in Feb) and you will have a unique and unforgettable experience for sure.

Residents of The Jaisalmer Fort. Built in 1156 by the Bahtti Rajput ruler Jaisala, nearly one quarter of the old city's population still resides in it. The fort has 99 bastions around its circumference and is protected by three walls.